Renault Twin'Z A Car From Our Near Future

The Renault Twin'Z concept car has been unveiled at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile di Milano, a design exhibition in Milan. Strip away the show car's design flourishes and it gives an idea of how the new Renault Twingo will look when it goes on sale in 2014.

The Twin'Z is a collaboration between Renault and British furniture designer Ross Lovegrove. Although the car's shape and dimensions have been dictated by Renault, the brand says that Lovegrove was given "a free hand" with the interior, and also contributied to "finishing details" such as the car's bumpers, lights, grilles and wheels.

On the outside, the Twin'Z has little in common with the current Twingo - there are echoes of the Renault 5, however, and some similarities to the Fiat 500.

At 362cm long the Twin'Z is 7cm shorter than the current Twingo city car. It is powered by a 68bhp electric motor, mounted at the rear and driving the rear wheels.

The Twin'Z also has carbon-fibre bodywork and rear hinged rear doors – the next Twingo won't get these, but it's likely to be available with the same powertrain.

The Twingo will also have the same rear-wheel drive layout: as part of the Renault-Nissan and Daimler alliance it will share its underpinnings with the next Smart city car.

Renault Twin'Z A Car From Our Near Future
Reviewed by Daniel Weaver
on
Monday, April 15, 2013
Rating: 5